AMITW Weekly Nest Numbers

SEA TURTLES

Nests this week	22
False Crawls this week	25
2026 Total Nests	30
2026 Total False Crawls	42

Nesting has begun to increase this week and we expect it to continue in the coming weeks. We now have nests all across the island both on the Gulfside and Bayside and our patrollers are getting back into the swing of things.

To protect our sea turtle nests this weekend:

Please check the area for turtle crawls before you place your canopies and beach chairs
Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach and close drapes after dark
Remove all beach furniture and toys from the beach at night.
Fill in holes that may impede turtles crawling up to lay their nests
Respect posted areas. Keep at least 5 feet away from posted sea turtle nests.
If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance.
If you see a sea turtle in trouble, call AMITW at 941-301-8434 or FWC at 888-404-3922
Do not use flashlights, cellphones, flash photography or fishing lamps on the beach.
Do not approach nesting turtles or shine lights at turtles

Sea turtles nest on the beach on the Bayside of AMI, too! AMITW Patrollers view the sunrise as they check on this posted nest.
Credit: Jeff Richmond

SHOREBIRDS

We are very excited to say that our nesting colonies are growing in number of birds and eggs are being incubated in both the Black Skimmer and Least Tern colonies! We have a possible 36 Black Skimmer nests and 14 Least Tern nests as of today. We have also installed crow effigies around the colonies to deter fish crows from harassing shorebirds and eating their eggs in hopes of increasing the number of chicks that are fledged from the colonies. Signs like the one attached to this email are posted at the bird closure explaining the reason for using effigies.

Over this holiday weekend, while we enjoy the beach, please make sure to share the beach with the shorebirds:

Respect the posted bird closures and keep your distance. If birds become agitated or leave their nests you are too close!! A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet away from a shorebird nest.
Avoid flying kites or drones near shorebird colonies – they look like predators and will scare the birds off their nests.
Place trash in its proper place and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators to the beach. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and turtles.
Keep pets away from nesting areas. Even well-behaved pets can be perceived as a threat. Keep cats indoors.
Do not intentionally force birds to fly. When birds are chased or disturbed, they use energy they need to reserve for nesting and migration.
Do not use fireworks on the beach
Spread the word! If you see people disturbing nesting birds, sea turtles, or nest sites, gently remind them how their actions may hurt the animals’ survival. If they continue to disturb, please call and report their activities to FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

From inside a posted bird closure, a Least Tern, an imperiled beach nesting bird, sits over her nest. Shorebirds lay their eggs directly on the sand and must shield them from heat and predators. Credit: Kathy Doddridge

MISCELLANEOUS

Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts talks – NO TURTLE TALK THIS WEEK (OFFICES ARE CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY)

AMITW 24-hour Hotline: (941) 301-8434 (this can be found at the bottom of all the yellow turtle nest signs!)